Wild Haweswater

Wild Haweswater is a landscape-restoration partnership between the RSPB and landowner United Utilities. It covers around 30 square kilometres across the valleys of Mardale, Naddle and Swindale around Haweswater Reservoir.

This is a working upland landscape of woodland, temperate rainforest, peat bog, rivers, farmland, wildflower meadows and high fells. Conservation work includes restoring peat, planting native trees, re-naturalising watercourses, managing meadows and grazing with native cattle and Fell Ponies.

The new Spinning Barn

A traditional Cumbrian Spinning Barn at Naddle Farm officially reopened after restoration on 27 August 2026. A £135,000 grant to the RSPB through the Landfill Communities Fund from FCC Communities Foundation, alongside private donations, funded the work.

The ground-floor visitor-engagement space can host professional and arranged groups, public events, experiences and community use. It includes visual and audio interpretation about landscape recovery, a chair lift, accessible toilet and kitchen. Timber features echo the gallery where farm workers historically spun wool.

The upper roof space remains a protected “Bat Loft” for a brown long-eared bat colony. Restoration added special ridge-tile entrances, timber around steel beams and extra bat boxes. The roof was completed in separate halves so the bats retained roosting space throughout the work.

Can you just turn up at the Spinning Barn?

No general daily walk-in opening has been advertised. The building is a hub for booked groups, public events, experiences, volunteers and community use, not a replacement for a conventional visitor centre. Check the official events programme or contact Wild Haweswater before travelling specifically for the barn.

Independent visits and Mardale Head parking

Mardale Head, at the southern end of Haweswater Reservoir, is the main public visitor car park. It is open at all times, but a Public Space Protection Order prohibits overnight parking. Wild Haweswater suggests a £2 cash donation towards its work; poor phone signal means the donation cairn cannot accept cards.

From Mardale Head, public rights of way lead towards Blea Water, Gatesgarth Pass and high fells including Harter Fell, High Street, Kidsty Pike, Selside Pike and Branstree. These are serious mountain routes rather than maintained attraction trails. Carry OS Explorer OL5 or equivalent mapping and choose a route that matches the weather, daylight and group ability.

Facilities

Wild Haweswater states that it has no general visitor centre, public toilets, café, public hides or designated wildlife viewpoints. Bring lunch, snacks, water, a hot drink, waterproofs, spare layers, hat, gloves, small first-aid kit and a torch. Phone signal is absent across much of the site.

The Naddle Farm office normally answers visitor enquiries Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Its postal address is The RSPB, Wild Haweswater, Naddle Farm, Bampton, Penrith, CA10 2RP, but there is no casual visitor parking there.

Booked events, hides and group visits

The RSPB and partner organisations offer bookable wildlife hides, walks and experiences. Group tours usually require advance arrangement and have limited vehicle capacity. Wild Haweswater says local roads are unsuitable for coaches, although minibuses can be discussed. Some tours are unsuitable for children or dogs, so read the individual event rules.

Getting there without a car

Penrith is the closest mainline station, about 14 miles or 22.5km away. There is no public bus to Wild Haweswater. Cycling and walking approaches exist, including a route promoted from Lowther Castle towards Naddle, but riders and walkers need independent navigation, suitable equipment and a realistic return plan.

Dogs and responsible access

Dogs are welcome on public rights of way. Keep them on leads during nesting season, near ground-resting birds and around cattle, ponies and other livestock. Stay on public rights of way, close gates and follow the Countryside Code.

Visitor access, facilities, parking and Spinning Barn information checked against Wild Haweswater on 9 September 2026.